How to Read your Declaration Page

What is a “dec page”?

The declaration page or “dec page” of your insurance policy is the first and one of the most important pages in your entire policy. It provides you with a detailed summary of the specifics of your policy. It has most of the information that you should need to know when asking questions or reporting a claim to your insurance company. We have put together a handy guide to help you navigate and decipher this page and to help you better understand your policy.

Policy Declaration sections to look for:

Name – The first thing should be the name and address of the insured. This will be the primary driver of the insured vehicle.

Agent – Next will be the name and contact information for the insurance agent that issued your policy. Policy Number – Your policy number is specific to your own policy and this number will be needed if you need to make a claim.

Policy Period – This is the time period for which your policy is active if you have paid your premium. It is generally around 6 or 12 months. Note that policies normally expire at 12:01 AM of the date listed. Unless you make a claim exactly at midnight on that day, you will not be covered.

Drivers Listed /Drivers Excluded – This lists people who may be driving the insured car and will be covered for some things under your policy. The Drivers Excluded section lists people who are not covered under your policy.

Vehicles Covered – This section should include the make and model of the vehicle insured. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should also be here. Be sure this is correct. Any lienholder should also be in this section. If your policy includes anything other than the actual cash value of your car, the value of your car should be in this section as well.

Coverages and Premiums – This section lists what your policy covers you for. It is important to note that if a coverage does not have a premium beside it, you are not protected for that coverage. It must have a premium associated with it.

Forms/Endorsements – This section will list important forms, or your contract text, which apply to your policy.

Miscellaneous Notes – If you have notes about your policy or your car, they will be in this section.

Each company organizes their declaration page differently, but the main highlights should be there. If you wonder what address the company has on file for you, who is covered under your policy, what coverages you selected, which vehicles are covered, or what your policy number is, you should find it on your dec page.

The materials available in the Knowledge Center are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact legal counsel to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of this website or any of the links contained within the website do not create representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.